Intel Core 5 320 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

Intel Core 5 320 and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K occupy very different positions in the database, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The Core 5 320 is a mobile processor built for efficiency and portability, while the Core Ultra 5 245K is a desktop part engineered for high throughput. The recorded scores show a consistent pattern: the Core Ultra 5 245K wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, 17 wins to 0. The Core 5 320 does not claim a single victory in any of the 17 recorded tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 245K dominates across every workload category represented in the database. In multi-threaded tests, the gap is substantial. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Core Ultra 5 245K scoring 25066 against the Core 5 320's 6197, a delta of -75.3%. This is a workload where the desktop part's 14 cores and 14 threads provide a decisive advantage over the mobile chip's 6 cores and 6 threads. Similarly, PassMark's multi-thread test records 43047 for the Core Ultra 5 245K versus 15450 for the Core 5 320, a 64.1% difference. The data indicates the Core Ultra 5 245K is built for sustained parallel processing, with its 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory bus at 102.4 GB/s feeding the workload.

Single-threaded performance tells a narrower story. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the Core Ultra 5 245K at 2132, only 9.7% ahead of the Core 5 320's 1926. The PassMark single-thread test records 4714 against 4045, a 14.2% margin. These are the closest results in the entire comparison, suggesting that for lightly threaded tasks, the architectural efficiency of the Core 5 320 partially compensates for its lower clock speeds. The Core 5 320 boosts to 4.60 GHz while the Core Ultra 5 245K boosts to 5.20 GHz, yet the single-core gap remains modest. This indicates that the Wildcat Lake design, despite its mobile orientation, delivers competitive per-core performance.

The Core 5 320's only meaningful advantage in the database is efficiency. Its 15 W TDP stands against the Core Ultra 5 245K's 125 W TDP. The mobile chip also uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the desktop part uses dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s. The Core 5 320's integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU. These differences do not translate into benchmark wins, but they define the use cases. The Core 5 320 is for systems where power draw and heat are primary constraints. The Core Ultra 5 245K is for systems where raw compute output is the priority.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict for users who prioritize raw performance: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is the superior processor in every measured category. Its average benchmark score of 54053 places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database. The closest rivals to the Core Ultra 5 245K include the Intel Core i7-14700F with a delta of 0.8% and the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at -1.3%. These comparisons show the Core Ultra 5 245K sits in strong company, just above or below other high-end desktop parts. The Core 5 320, by contrast, holds a 72nd percentile ranking with an average score of 18023, placing it near the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and the Intel Core 5 120U.

For users building a desktop workstation or a high-performance gaming system, the Core Ultra 5 245K is the obvious choice based on the recorded data. Its 14 cores, 14 threads, and 5.20 GHz boost clock deliver results that the Core 5 320 cannot approach. The Core Ultra 5 245K also supports ECC memory and uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, features absent from the Core 5 320. The unlocked multiplier on the Core Ultra 5 245K allows for overclocking, a capability the Core 5 320 lacks.

For users selecting a processor for a thin-and-light laptop or a compact mobile device, the Core 5 320 is the only viable option in this comparison. Its 15 W TDP, BGA 1516 socket, and mobile market segment make it suitable for systems where the Core Ultra 5 245K's 125 W TDP and Socket 1851 would be impractical. The Core 5 320's single-channel memory support and 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes reduce the platform cost and complexity, aligning with its mobile positioning. The benchmark data does not show the Core 5 320 winning any test, but the architecture serves a different purpose entirely.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory for the Core Ultra 5 245K comes in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The desktop part scores 25066 against the Core 5 320's 6197, a delta of -75.3%. This is the most lopsided result in the entire comparison. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar pattern, with the Core Ultra 5 245K scoring 3850 against 1054, a -72.6% difference. The PassMark find prime numbers test records 414 versus 110, a -73.4% margin, confirming that the Core Ultra 5 245K's advantage extends to integer-heavy workloads.

The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows 15368 against 5462, a -64.5% delta. The PassMark multi-thread test records 43047 versus 15450, a -64.1% margin. The PassMark data encryption test shows 33286 against 10984, a -67% difference, while the data compression test records 458817 versus 148779, a -67.6% margin. These results indicate that the Core Ultra 5 245K's additional cores and higher memory bandwidth translate into consistent gains across diverse workload types.

The closest margin in the entire comparison is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the Core Ultra 5 245K leads by only 9.7%. The PassMark single-thread test shows a 14.2% gap, and the Cinebench R15 single-core test shows a 14.3% gap. These single-thread results suggest that the Core 5 320's Wildcat Lake architecture, despite being a mobile part, delivers per-core performance that is competitive with the desktop Arrow Lake design. The boost clocks differ by 0.60 GHz, but the actual benchmark gap is far smaller than the clock difference would imply.

The PassMark physics test shows 3081 for the Core Ultra 5 245K against 1221 for the Core 5 320, a -60.4% delta. The floating point math test records 130678 versus 42440, a -67.5% margin. The integer math test shows 98524 versus 32323, a -67.2% difference. The extended instructions test records 37617 versus 13262, a -64.7% margin. The random string sorting test shows 55098 versus 18038, a -67.3% difference. Every single one of these tests confirms the same trend: the Core Ultra 5 245K is faster, often by a wide margin, but the Core 5 320 holds its own in single-threaded tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has an average benchmark score of 54053, while the Intel Core 5 320 has an average score of 18023. The Core Ultra 5 245K also ranks in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Core 5 320's 72nd percentile.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads. Neither processor uses simultaneous multithreading, so thread counts equal core counts.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has a TDP of 125 W. The Core 5 320 is designed for mobile systems, while the Core Ultra 5 245K targets desktop platforms.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 320 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the codename Arrow Lake-S and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. The Core 5 320 is fabricated on a 3 nm process node by Intel's foundry. The Core Ultra 5 245K is also fabricated on a 3 nm process node, but by TSMC's foundry. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 5 320 does not have recorded transistor or die size data.

The Core 5 320 has a 192 KB L1 cache, 2.5 MB L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a 192 KB L1 cache per core, 3 MB L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 320 uses a single-channel memory bus with DDR5 and LPDDR5X support, providing 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses a dual-channel memory bus with DDR5 support, providing 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 320 has 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 245K has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The Core 5 320 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Core Ultra 5 245K includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU. The Core 5 320 uses an Intel BGA 1516 socket and targets the mobile market segment. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses an Intel Socket 1851 and targets the desktop market segment. The Core Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 320 does not. The Core Ultra 5 245K was released on 2024-10-23, while the Core 5 320 has a release date of 2026-04-15.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads. The base clock of the Core 5 320 is 1.50 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 245K has a base clock of 4.20 GHz. The boost clock of the Core 5 320 is 4.60 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 245K boosts to 5.20 GHz. The TDP is 15 W for the Core 5 320 and 125 W for the Core Ultra 5 245K.

The sockets are different: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 5 320 and Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 245K. The Core 5 320 has a single-channel memory bus, while the Core Ultra 5 245K has a dual-channel memory bus. Memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s for the Core 5 320 and 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 245K. The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only. ECC memory is supported only on the Core Ultra 5 245K.

The PCIe configuration differs: the Core 5 320 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores on the Core 5 320 and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU on the Core Ultra 5 245K. The market segment is mobile for the Core 5 320 and desktop for the Core Ultra 5 245K. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 320 and unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 245K. The process node is 3 nm for both, but the foundry is Intel for the Core 5 320 and TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 245K. The Core Ultra 5 245K also has recorded transistor and die size data, while the Core 5 320 does not.